Building a non-firing BCG?

[Diamondback]

I'm toying with the idea of building an inert BCG for teaching admin handling, thinking to make it inert by shortening the firing pin. (Idea being to take enough off the FP that only God Himself could hit it hard enough to fire, leaving just enough to hold the BCG assembly together.) If this proceeded, the BCG would of course be marked with safety red or orange to indicate Non Firing status.

Two questions:
1. Are there any potential pitfalls I'm overlooking? I'm well aware that "just because you COULD doesn't mean you SHOULD," and the idea is something where I can tell a student "prove you can handle the four rules and the TTP's with dead metal before we graduate you to Live Iron."

2. IF this idea gets past Question 1... well, three parter: first, what would y'all suggest for a cheap BCG? Second, how much would I need to take off for an "Un-Firing Pin"? Third, if I spritz the BCG with Krylon will it still leave enough room for it to fit and cycle without flaking off and leaving crap that needs to be cleaned out before switching to a live BCG and heading to the range?

[Defaultmp3]

If it's admin handling, why not just remove the firing pin completely?

Alternatively, be truly safe and get a Sim bolt or the SIRT bolt; the latter can be useful for other things.

[sinister]

You could shorten and re-finish a standard firing pin by a quarter-inch and it will look very close to standard. Weld the firing pin hole in the bolt face shut, drill a short hole in the front (not going through the weld), then have it finished.

A good Samaritan can't make it functional with a new firing pin unless he replaces the complete bolt.

[Diamondback]

If it's admin handling, why not just remove the firing pin completely?

Alternatively, be truly safe and get a Sim bolt or the SIRT bolt; the latter can be useful for other things.

Good points--my recollection (which admittedly could be wrong) was the FP literally holds the entire bolt/carrier assembly together; I want the lesson to include charging/racking/clearing and the SIRT module specifically indicates "not for racking."

Thanks, guys.

[chamber143]

Good points--my recollection (which admittedly could be wrong) was the FP literally holds the entire bolt/carrier assembly together; I want the lesson to include charging/racking/clearing and the SIRT module specifically indicates "not for racking."

Thanks, guys.

There may be some sort of simulations bolt but I don't think I would modify anything and train with it like that cause a freak incident could happen. Idk if removing the firing pin would impede charging of the weapon. I just would not in any way try to do what you are talking about no matter how inert it may be. Shit happens and if you remove the shit before it happens, then it can't happen.

[ABNAK]

Good points--my recollection (which admittedly could be wrong) was the FP literally holds the entire bolt/carrier assembly together; I want the lesson to include charging/racking/clearing and the SIRT module specifically indicates "not for racking."

Thanks, guys.

Well the cam pin would rotate freely and could fall out (if well-worn) without the firing pin in place.

[ABNAK]

Double tap.

What is with this place the last couple of days? It acts like it doesn't take your post then it turns out it did or even double taps.

[utahjeepr]

The little "nib" on the end of the firing pin is all that protrudes out of the bolt face. The rest of the pin is too big to fit. You could simply grind that off and be done. You should be able to paint the bolt except for the rails on the bottom and be fairly safe from transfer in the rifle for handling purposes.

Alternatively you could leave the FP out. Cam pin won't fall out while the BCG is in the rifle, and it ain't like it's gonna see the high bolt speeds of a firing cycle. Another marking option would be to only paint or mark as INOP in the recessed area of the bolt carrier for the ejection port cover.

I saw a red anodized aluminum bolt carrier once. I have no idea what it was for or how you might find one but it would be great for this purpose.

I can see Sinister's point regarding FP replacement by others in a large user group. That's a ton of work for a training device though. (OK, not really. I could do it in less than an hour. But I have all the tools at hand, YMMV) This isn't going into the rack like this is it? I would think it would be much simpler to "control custody" of the training device.

[Diamondback]

I can see Sinister's point regarding FP replacement by others in a large user group. That's a ton of work for a training device though. (OK, not really. I could do it in less than an hour. But I have all the tools at hand, YMMV) This isn't going into the rack like this is it? I would think it would be much simpler to "control custody" of the training device.

No, it's not--in fact, anything not in the Ready Rack I store as separated upper/lower assemblies. I'm not a pro instructor, and even though I have ambitions of NRA Instructor certs I prefer to work with one or two people at a time, usually only friends/family. (Though in college I had one class so horrible that as a "wrap party," all 20 of us decided to head to the range and conduct an experiment on ballistic protection from textbooks since Prof. Painintheass insisted on a book not eligible for buyback.)

Sounds like chop the skinny part, maybe just paint the recess and mark it "INOP" is the Easy Button here. Thanks, guys!

[Stickman]

For SHOT Show, most tables cut the firing pin down in the manner you mention above. If it is going to be a "demo only", why not paint it orange while you are at it? That way there is no question about what is being used.